Prior fee hike, minority schools too have to take govt’s permission

Now, minority schools in Delhi too will not be able to increase their fees without the permission of the Delhi government. In a landmark decision, the Delhi high court on Thursday rejected the appeal of Ryan International School seeking exemption for being a minority institution.

“Ryan International, Vasant Kunj has claimed that being a minority school they are not bound to a get fee hike sanction from the Delhi government which Delhi High Court rejected,” said Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday.

As per the previous orders of the Delhi high court, private schools constructed on government land cannot increase their fee without the prior approval of the Delhi government. In pursuance of this order, the Delhi government for the first time issued orders to private schools to roll back their hiked fees or else face action. Some schools were also issued take over notices by the government for violating various norms. The government ordered all such schools to submit their accounts with the Education Department along with an application for fee hike.

The minority schools, however, refused to follow the order claiming ‘minority status’ and Ryan approached the High Court for relief. As per order of the High Court, all such minority private schools like convents will also have to submit their accounts for audit to the Delhi government.